Pressure transmitters and pressure gauges could be adapted to almost any process condition using valves, protective devices and/or fittings. WIKA offers such combinations in the form of a ?hook-up?, an application-specific and ready-to-install solution. It eliminates all the disadvantages that users experience with the alternative to do the assembly themselves.
1. The logistical effort:
This is considerable. Measuring instruments, valves and other accessories, if they’re brought together in-house, usually ought to be sourced from different manufacturers, frequently from a lot more than two companies. The order processes must be coordinated, which is often time-consuming. Furthermore, Harmful requires additional resources.
2. Compatibility problems (risk of leakage):
Combinations of pressure measuring instruments with instrumentation valves and accessories aren’t standard solutions. Both components of such an assembly generally come, as mentioned, from different manufacturers. This increases the likelihood of complications during assembly.
The difference in these measuring arrangements with differential pressure gauges is obvious ? on the left, a good example of an assembly created by the operator themselves, on the right, the hook-up solution from WIKA.
A good example of this, shown here, may be the combination of a differential pressure gauge with a valve manifold. The connection of the measuring instrument has a different centre distance than that of the selected valve manifold (picture left). In such a case, the connection may be accomplished through an assembly with two pipe pieces and four adapters. But this solution escalates the outlay in time and expense, and also the risk of leakage, by doubling the sealing points (see arrow marks). Difficulties in assembly also arise if the tolerances of the connection interfaces from different suppliers do not match exactly. This carries the risk of leakage. To experience the desired compatibility, the qualification and delivery specification should be defined for each supplier with considerable effort.
Two examples of hook-up solutions:
Left: Pressure gauge with overpressure protector, a valve to split up the measuring instrument from the procedure and a siphon tube that protects the complete measuring arrangement from excessive temperatures.
Right: Pressure gauge with overpressure protector and monoflange (this permits separation of measuring instrument and process regarding flange connections).
3. The installation effort:
On top of the requirements for the procurement of suitable components, will be the assembly charges for measuring points with instrumentation valves and accessories also added. These add the development of special know-how and employee training to the provision of a suitable workplace, including tools and the required materials. Furthermore, an excellent control is mandatory to check the functionality and reliability of the measuring arrangement, especially its leak tightness. That is especially important if, for instance, this is a process with critical gases.
Avoidance of risks
With a hook-up solution, users circumvent the efforts and potential risks described here. The measuring arrangement is assembled at WIKA (based on the specified process parameters and the installation situation) from qualified individual parts and is tested for leaks. It is ready for installation along the way on delivery. If necessary, a measuring instrument may also be coupled with several instrumentation valves and accessories (see illustration left).
Note
Detailed info on valves and protective devices are available on the WIKA website.